What: On April 22, 2026, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to maintain current Clean Air Act (CAA) standards for emissions from crude oil and natural gas production facilities.
Why: After conducting a CAA-required technology review, the EPA has determined that the current emissions standards for crude oil and natural gas facilities do not need to be changed. The agency is also proposing standards for methanol from regulated emission points.
The EPA is also considering two alternative approaches to currently unregulated emission points at oil and natural gas plants. The first approach is to defer action on the basis that the agency does not have any obligation to regulate. The second approach involves new control standards for previously unregulated emission points, including:
- Acid gas removal units.
- Transport vessel loading operations.
- Storage vessels without flash emissions.
- Transport vessel loading.
- Natural gas-driven process controllers and pumps.
The EPA is also concurrently proposing changes to the definition of “associated equipment” with respect to a major source.
Action: Read the proposed rule and submit comments before the June 22, 2026, deadline. If a public hearing is requested before April 27, 2026, one will be scheduled.
Is your small business or entity being impacted by a proposed rule? If yes, write a comment letter to the proposing agency.